Port Shelter 1,2,3 and Overall

It was pouring with rain as the committee boat left the dock. That's how it stayed for most of the day. Of course, it wasn't entirely unexpected as the Observatory had predicted wet weather for the weekend of the 21st and 22nd of September 2024, so most sailors came prepared. There was also a prediction of a Force 4 – something to look forward to.

Out in Port Shelter, race officer for the regatta, Barry Truhol, pointed out that if visibility was below one nautical mile he would have to call off racing for Day 1, or at least until the clouds had lifted. Fortunately, and despite the rain, Table Island was visible to the southeast and, at 1200, Hebe One dropped anchor.

But, Truhol was still not happy with the position, or the conditions. "It's just not safe sending sportsboats on an islands course if visibility is low, and they don't have navigational equipment," he said.

What's more, the Observatory had earlier posted a red rainstorm warning so, after more discussions, he headed back in towards Cascade Bay and dropped anchor west of Kau Sai Chau. Then he announced he would be laying a geometric – Course 6, from the Port Shelter Regatta Sailing Instructions. He was even considering two windward / leewards if the breeze held.

There was a 10-knot southerly blowing and things were looking good. The VX Ones were whizzing past the committee boat and Temujin, not seen for a long time, was preparing to race under PHS A. "Twenty minutes to the orange flag," said race official, Pearl Bassiga. "7.5 knots of wind from 180 degrees," called Deputy Race Officer, Queenie Ho.

After the brief raising of an AP flag while marks were secured, the countdown for IRC began. At 1335, four racing machines slid across the line and headed for the A1 mark, 1 nautical mile to the southeast. Then came the combined SMS and J/80 division with the VX One, Serendipity, leading the way.

PHS A & ORC were next to hit the line with 10 boats all battling for supremacy. Last away were the six starters in PHS B, Delight and Foxzhead showing off their collective starting skills.

Absent from the course were the Dragons from Shelter Cove. Let's hope to see them again during the Monsoon Winter Series later this year.

In just under three quarters of an hour, Zannekin came storming in to the finish to claim line and handicap honours in IRC. Witchcraft finished 6 minutes later and Glenn Smith's Wild Card filled the 3rd slot.

Nansha Dream (Jive) won the J/80s ahead of Baring Asia 1 and Team Buckshot (Jelik 6) while, in the SMS division, victory went to Pawley, with Team Hebe Dragons in 2nd and Serendipity in 3rd.

The hotly contested PHS A & ORC division was won by Blu ahead of Ichiban and Krampus while victory in PHS B was claimed by Delight. Scrumpy filled 2nd slot and Foxzhead, 3rd.

The RO decided to move the course towards the University where, at 9 knots, the breeze was more favourable. Soon, the starting sequence for IRC began and four speedsters sailed off at 1523 on a more demanding course. The Sportsboats and J/80s followed at 1528 and, at 1533, PHS A & ORC romped across the line. In all the excitement, Ichiban narrowly missed the committee boat although skipper, Robert Cook, later said he had deliberately sailed close so the photographers could get a better view of his boat!

Another amusing incident involved the J/80,Nansha Sailing (Jive), whose crew jumped on to Hebe One minutes before their start to use the head. They jumped back on to their J/80 during the countdown, drifted backwards, clonked the committee boat with their bowsprit, and didn't do any penalty turns before rejoining the race!

Last off was the PHS B division at 1538. Delight showed the others how it has improved of late.

Zannekin took line honours in IRC but, sadly, slipped to 2nd on handicap. In 1st place was Witchcraft, and 3rd, Wild Card. Nansha Dream (Jive) won the J/80s ahead of Baring Asia 1 and Happy Little Swallow (Baring Asia 2). In Sportsboats, it was a predictable 1st for Pawley, with Team Hebe Dragons in 2nd and Patrick Pender's Serendipity in 3rd.

PHS A saw Krampus put in an excellent performance to win the division, ahead of Kenny On's Blu and Cox Kwok's new Ma Cherie S. What an improvement for Ma Cherie S. In the ORC sub-division, Ichiban took the honours.

Finally, Delight, showed its prowess by winning PHS B. In 2nd came the Impala Saturday Again and 3rd, Foxzhead.

Day 2 started off much the same as Day 1 . . . with rain. But visibility was reasonably good so the race officer, Barry Truhol, announced to the officials and volunteers there would be one islands course of 23 nautical miles for IRC and 19 nautical miles for the other boats. PHS B, however, would sail a shorter course of 15 nautical miles. He hoped he would have everyone home and sailing back to the club for the prize-giving in three to three and a half hours.

On schedule, at 1200, Truhol had IRC A away to a windward mark, in a 9-knot southerly. At the pin, with an orange flag clearly displayed, was a RIB with race manager, Rob Allen, and volunteer Charron Robertson on board keeping track of over-enthusiastic starters. Kingsman and Zannekin had a minor collision but not enough to stop them continuing to race.

Then, it was the turn of the J/80s at 1205, along with the four Sportsboats. At 1210, PHS A set off with Jibulai looking strong, so too, Minnie the Moocher. Last but not least came the eight entries in PHS B, at 1215.

The RO had taken into account predictions for the tide which would be coming in from 0800 to 1230 and going out from 1230 to 1730. He was also aware of the lumpy seas which would affect the performances of the smaller boats, in particular the Magic 25s and VX Ones.

Not long after the PHS A fleet had started, Kiasu! radio-ed in, claiming it had snared a 'ghost net' and needed help. Support staff immediately raced off and, within minutes, Rob Allen was in the water untangling an enomous drift net from Kiasu!'s keel. It had obviously been in the water for some time, judging by the amount of algae on the floats. A decision was made to tow Kiasu! back to the club by one of the support craft, while Hebe One continued with its duties monitoring the various fleets.

Stationary south of Basalt Island, the committee boat received a request for help from a capsized sportsboat. Rob Allen was again sent out to assist and picked up the two crew, bringing them back to Hebe One to "dry out". Also at the scene were Harpseal and Wild Card – both were given redress for helping out.

It was time to head back to the Hebe Haven Yacht Club and a riotous prize-giving in the Garden Bar. But, first, mention of the winners of Race 3. Zannekin claimed victory in IRC, with Witchcraft in 2nd and Wild Card, 3rd. The J/80s were won by Nansha Sailing (Jelik 7) ahead of Nansha Dream (Jive) and Happy Little Swallow (Baring Asia 2). Pawley was victorious in Sportsboats with Team Hebe Dragons in 2nd. Ironman retired and so did Serendipity.

Winner of PHS A was Jibulai with Ian Wong's AmaZe II in 2nd and Merlijn, 3rd. The top slot in the no-less competitive PHS B division was taken by Delight, with Noah in 2nd and Tonny Chung's Foxzhead, 3rd.

With the completion of the Port Shelter Regatta 2024, there were Overall prizes to be presented. IRC was taken by Zannekin, Sportsboats by Pawley, the J/80s by Nansha Dream (Jive), PHS A by Blu, PHS B by Delight, and the ORC class by Bridget Chan's Minnie the Moocher.

The sponsored Carlsberg beer went down a treat, along with all the other prizes. A turnout of 33 boats says a lot – let's hope for more next year.